A zero waste blog. Join me on my journey as I reduce my waste and move towards a simple, vegan and zero waste lifestyle.

Showing posts with label zero waste. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zero waste. Show all posts

Sprinkle of Glitter // Plastic Free July

on
Tuesday 31 July 2018


Did you know that regular glitter is made up of tiny little bits of microplastic and will take hundreds of years to breakdown?

Until a few years ago, the thought had never even crossed my mind. I don't know what I thought glitter was made of, but I certainly didn't worry about how much damage it was doing to the environment.

So what's the problem with glitter? Well, glitter is essentially a microplastic meaning that it's made up of tiny little plastic fragments that subsequently end up in our oceans. Since the pieces are so small, they are often mistaken for food by the animals that live there and can end up in the food chain. So if you're someone who consumes seafood then there's a good chance you're ingesting plastic too. A University in Belgium calculated that people eat up to 11,000 plastic fragments in their seafood each year.

In fact things have got so bad that some scientists have even been calling on a ban on glitter.

However, there are some plastic free solutions for those of us who still want to enjoy glitter. Since it's festival season, I've been looking for a zero waste alternative so I can cover my face in glitter when I head to a festival in a couple of weeks (FYI - it's a rock festival, but it's the only one I'm going to so I will be wearing my pink glitter on my face whether anyone likes it or not).

Eco Glitter is a sustainable sourced compostable glitter that is also cruelty free and vegan friendly. There are so many colours and mixes to pick from and you can also buy a tin of aloe vera gel to help you apply it. It comes packaged in a cardboard box and wrapped in newspaper, so the packaging is zero waste too.

If you're looking for glitter then I couldn't recommend it enough. Remember "do what is right, not what is easy".

My Zero Waste Bathroom // Plastic Free July

on
Thursday 5 July 2018
Happy Plastic Free July!

I hope that you're all enjoying the challenge of trying to cut ditch single-use plastics and look for zero waste alternatives.

Of all the rooms in my flat, my bathroom is definitely the most zero waste. It was the first area of my life that I really tackled, and I'm proud that it's a plastic free zone. So I thought I would share the products I use to inspire you to make some plastic free swaps this month.


(Left to Right)

1. Natural shampoo bar - I've recently made the switch from a Lush shampoo bar (I'll blog more about this later) and I'm still in the transition stage. My hair felt oily the first few times I used it, but it seems to be settling down now which was just a sign of old residue build up from years of using shampoo full of unnatural ingredients. There's lots of natural shampoo on the market, but the one I'm using just now is from Zero Waste Path Shop and I really like it.

2. Face soap - I was actually gifted this facial soap bar a few months ago from Lush when I was in one of their shops promoting my work's mountain hare campaign (you can read about the campaign here) and it's been amazing so far. It leaves my face really smooth and it always feels very clean too. And judging my how small it is in this picture, I'll need to buy a new one again soon.

3. Nail clippers

4. Apple cider vinegar rinse - To combat the transition to a natural shampoo bar, I'm using this apple cider vinegar rinse as a conditioner to help with the build up of old hair products that are still lingering in my hair. It's just a mix of water and ACV and it's been leaving my hair feeling really soft.

5. Safety razor - I've been using my safety razor for a while now, and did a first impressions video on it here if you're interested. It works really well for me just now, but I am still scared I'll cut myself whenever I use it. However, it's a million times better than using plastic disposable razors which are really harmful to the environment.

6. Bamboo toothbrush - I ditched plastic toothbrushes last year, and have been using a humble bamboo brush ever since. I've not had any problems with my teeth since I switched over, and I love the fact the company helps children who can't access dental care too. I've really enjoyed moving to a zero waste lifestyle and finding new companies to support, especially ones doing such good things.

7. Toothpaste - I make my toothpaste with coconut oil, baking soda and peppermint oil and it honestly leaves my teeth feeling cleaner than they did when I used normal toothpaste. I can buy zero waste versions of all the ingredients so it cuts out the regular plastic toothpaste tubes that you can't recycle.

8. Body soap - I was gifted this by Lush when I got my face soap but I can't find a link on their website or the name of it. I used to get through so much shower gel, but now I only use soap and I have now become a little obsessed with all the different soaps I want to try.

Zero Waste Mascara

on
Monday 11 June 2018

My makeup bag is probably one of the areas of my life that isn't very zero waste. If you know me well then you'll know I don't wear much makeup anyway, but one of my must-have items is mascara. I was previously using drugstore mascara which came in a plastic bottle, but since it ran out a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to find a zero waste alternative.

I found Beauty With Roots for Etsy and it arrived two weeks ago. The mascara itself is comes in a small glass jar with an aluminium lid. Not only is it zero waste, but this particular one is completely vegan and organic too. It uses lots traditional herbs, so it's a lot better to be using near your eyes than all the chemicals that are used in high street mascaras.

It goes on really well and lasts all day so I definitely have no complaints about how it looks on, but it can be a little tricky to get it out of the jar. If you stick the whole mascara brush in (note: this doesn't come with the mascara) then you'll end up with lots on the brush that will go to waste since your not putting the brush back into the bottle like you would normally.

However, you can stick the tip of the brush in the pot to put on your lashes and then use the whole wand to brush it through then it works fine. I just takes a couple of tries to get used to it, especially if you've been buying mascara in a standard shop bought bottle for years.

Overall, it's been a great product so far and I'd definitely recommend it. I'll be blogging about the rest of my zero waste makeup swaps in the coming months, so stay tuned!

Zero Waste Shaving - Safety Razor First Impressions

on
Monday 28 May 2018
I've been waiting for a couple of months now to use my last remaining disposable safety razors before I could order myself a safety razor. A few weeks ago, I finally finished my last plastic razor so I took the plunge and bought myself a safety razor.

I did a little bit of research and decided to go for the Edwin Jagger DE89L which you can purchase from Amazon here and enough razors to last me a lifetime from Astra here. The best bit about Astra is that the blades come in a cardboard box with the blades wrapped in paper. It might have been more expensive that disposable razors, but that's the last time I will need to purchase any hair removal products for the rest of my life.

I'm still getting used to using the razor d taking it slow, but so far it's been a success!

Watch the video below for my first impressions and I'll be sure to update you as I carry on using it.


Have you tried a safety razor yet? I'd love to know what zero waste hair removal products you use in the comments below.



Zero Waste Beginner's Tips

on
Sunday 20 May 2018



Say hello to my new venture into the world of social media!

I've dabbled with YouTube before, but I've never really committed to it properly. I've made a few videos over the past few years, but nothing that great and I guess I never stuck with it as much as I should have. So I decided to change my channel name from my nickname Moyesy to ZeroWaste30 and start again. If you would like to subscribe to my channel then you can do so here.

I thought I'd start things with a really simple video with my top 5 zero waste tips to get you started.

1. Reusable bottle

There really isn't any reason at all to be buying plastic bottles of water these days. Despite the fact that it's damaging to the environment, why spend £1 on a bottle of water when you can just drink it from your tap? It really doesn't make any sense at all. I picked up my stainless steel reusable bottle from TK Maxx a few months ago and it's the best bottle I've ever had. It keeps my water cold for 12 hours which is perfect if I'm on the go or if I'm doing some hillwalking. I've also found cafes and restaurants are more often than not happy enough to fill it up if you ask them nicely enough.

2. Tote Bag

I think this was one of the first zero waste swaps I made years ago before I ever knew what the term zero waste meant. I have quite a few ones that I carry around with me including a few from my work and my favourite vegan ones from Chiaralascura. Unfortunately the one I have is no longer available, but they do have some other awesome looking ones on their website. I picked mine up at a vegan festival in Glasgow a few years ago, but you can purchase them online too. If you don't want postage and packaging which I can't guarantee is zero waste then you'll be able to pick up other totes bags in shops a lot closer to home.

3. Shampoo bar

I swapped by shampoo bottle for a shampoo bar about six months ago and I haven't looked back since. I know there's a lot of different ones on the market and some people don't like Lush, but I've found the Seanik bar from Lush works really well for my hair. I don't need to use a conditioner with it and it lasts for a long time. I did try using a different one from Lush but it made my hair feel a bit dry, so I would shop around and find one that works for you. If you get one in Lush then they sell tins as well so they're easy to carry around.

4. Bamboo Toothbrush

I love my trusty bamboo toothbrush from Humble Brush which unlike plastic ones is biodegradable and can be recycled or put in the compost. I tend to keep hold of mine and reuse them to clean stuff with, so there's lots of different uses for them.

5. Reusable wipes

I stopped using face wipes last year, and have been using reusable ones ever since. I'm currently using some handmade ones that I made from an old pair of pyjamas. I used them with coconut oil to take off my make up (I don't wear much make up anyway) and then just throw them in the wash with my normal load. It much better and cheaper than constantly buying single use face wipes from the shops.

What tips would you have for someone getting started on their own zero waste journey? Comment below and let me know.

Zero Waste Shopping

on
Sunday 29 October 2017

I've been using reusable shopper bags like this one for years, long before I had even knew what zero waste meant.

In Scotland, there's been a 5p charge on single-use plastic carrier bags since 2014, but even before then I carried around one of these shoppers. I've had a fair few over the years but this green one is my current favourite. I picked it up from Chiaralascura at a vegan festival last year. It's really thick material and has a clasp on it to keep it closed. I would estimate that I probably carry this bag around pretty much every single day without fail. It's always in the bottom of whatever bag I'm using just in case I need to pick up some shopping.

If you're trying to cut down on plastic or take some steps to becoming zero waste then this is probably one of the easiest things you can do. Plus, if you like in the UK then it's going to save you money in the long run if you keep having to purchase single use carrier bags.

Zero Waste Periods

on
Friday 27 October 2017

Let's face it, no one likes getting their period. I am currently sitting on my sofa with a hot water bottle on my stomach because of cramps and I'm not exactly thrilled by it.

However, we (women) all get periods so we need to think about what products we want to use. I'm lucky because I get light periods due to the birth control I use (it's a UID if anyone is interested).

I read something a few weeks ago about how the average sanitary pad contains the equivalent of four plastic bags. We've become a nation who are trying to cut down on our plastic bag use, yet women are using lots of plastic each month without even thinking about it. Then there's tampons which come with plastic applicators, the name alone tells you they aren't good for the environment.

So what options do we have?

I know quite a few people who swear by the menstrual cup. I have tried one, but it just wasn't for me. I'm sure it probably takes a while to get used to. I just didn't have the patience and found it all a bit awkward.

So I decided that I would try reusable menstrual pads which I bought from this great shop on Etsy here. They're really comfortable, soft, and they look so much more fun than regular disposable pads. Plus, while each pad costs a few pounds to buy you'll be saving money in the long run and really cutting down your plastic use.

So how do you wash them?

I just soak them in some cold water and then throw them in the washing machine with my regular washing. Once the wash is done, I just hang them up to try and they're good to go again.

If you haven't thought about how much plastic you use each month for your period, then I recommend that you do. There's a few different options on the market which will not only save you money but will also dramatically cut down the amount of plastic you. I'd also love to know what products and companies you're using in the comments.

Making my own almond milk

on
Monday 2 October 2017

Guess who made her own almond milk at the weekend?

I had wanted to make it for a while, but I kept putting it off. I thought it would be really difficult, but in actual fact it's really simple. So here's my step by step guide to making your own almond milk.

1. Soak 2 cups of almonds overnight or for at least 8 hours. Place the almonds in a bowl and cover with an inch of water. The longer you soak the almonds, the creamier the almond milk will be.

2. Drain and rinse the almonds. Use cold water to rinse the almonds which should be quite soft if you pinch them.

3. Blend almonds and water. Put the almonds in the blender with 4 cups of water and blend until the almonds are broken down.

4. Strain the almonds. Pour the mixture into a nut milk bag (I use this one from Lovetree products) and squeeze or twist the bag until the liquid comes through the bag and you're just left with the almond meal.

5. Refrigerate the almond milk. Store the milk in a air tight container. It usually last between 2-3 days.

If you like your almond milk sweeter then you can pick a sweetener of your choice, but I usually only use my almond milk in porridge so I don't need it to be very sweet because whatever porridge toppings I use will do that for me.

There's also lots you can do with the almond meal whether it be adding it to energy balls, nut bars or smoothies. I just put mine in the fridge for now until I decide what to do with it, but I'll write another post about it when I make my mind up.

Most plant based milks come in either plastic bottles or cartons with plastic tops, so making your own is a great way to cut down on your waste while also cutting out any additives that can sometimes be added to it.

Have you ever made your own non-dairy milk before? I'd love to hear your recipes.

DIY Himalayan Face Scrub

on
Monday 18 September 2017

There are so many recipes for making your own face scrubs, but this one is my favourite at the moment because it's so simple.

I've used lots of face scrubs over the years and more recently I had been using the St. Ives apricot one, but in reality it's not the best for your skin. It's one of those products that uses the word 'natural' but is full of unnatural ingredients. It's also quite harsh on your skin, so I'm not sure how much good it was doing.

So I decided it was time to experiment with making my own face scrub. I looked at lots of different salt and sugar scrub recipes, but this recipe (if you can even call it a recipe) caught my eye because it's so simple. The only two ingredients you need are Himalayan pink salt and coconut oil.

The Himalayan pink salt is great for your skin because it's draws all the toxins out and coconut oil balances it by acting as moisturiser. You just need to be be careful not to scrub too hard.

If you want to make your own Himalayan face scrub then you just need to mix a few spoonfuls of coconut oil with some salt until you have the consistency that best works for you. If you have sensitive skin then you may want to use a bit less salt, but other than that it's pretty straight forward.

Do you have any recipes for your own DIY face scrubs? Let me know in the comments below.

Lush Shampoo Bar

on
Thursday 7 September 2017

I've finally taken the plunge and entered the world of solid shampoo bars and I love it. I'll admit that I never really thought much of them before, but it turns out that I was completely wrong (now that I something I don't admit to much).

I picked up the Seanik shampoo bar from Lush last week and my hair has never felt better. You basically just rub the bar into your wet hair and it lathers up just like normal liquid shampoo does.

This particular bar contains seaweed, sea salt and lemon and is meant to give you great shine and volume, which my hair certainly has since I started using it. I smells like the ocean too so I can pretend that I'm not living in rainy old Scotland, but I'm showering in some sort of tropical island.

It's also vegan and plastic free! So let's face it, it is pretty much the perfect shampoo for me.

If you're looking to stop using shampoo that comes in plastic bottles, then I couldn't recommend this more.